Potentiating agents for protecting plants from fungal infections

Abstract

A method for preventing, controlling or treating a fungal infection on a plant organ includes applying to the plant organ a non-fungicidal amount or a potentiating amount of a composition including a potentiating agent of a plant defense molecule, in association with a phytopharmaceutical vehicle.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for controlling or treating a fungal infection by  Alternaria brassicicola  on a plant, a part of a plant, or a plant propagation material comprising applying to said plant, part of a plant or plant propagation material a plant defense molecule selected from the group consisting of brassinin, camalexin, resveratrol, 3,5-dihydroxybiphenyl, aucuparin and 6-methoxymellein; and a non-fungicidal amount or a potentiating amount of a potentiating agent selected from the group consisting of chelerythrine, sanguinarine, and Cl − , HSO 4   − , I − , HCO 3   −  salts thereof;
 wherein said non-fungicidal amount or potentiating amount ranges from 1 to 25 μm. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the plant, the part of a plant, or the plant propagation material is selected from the group consisting of Brassicacae family; Apiaceae family; Vitaceae family; and Rosaceae family. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said plant organ is  Brassica oleracea , 
 and 
 said potentiating agent of a plant defense molecule is chelerythrine. 
 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said potentiating agent of a plant defense molecule is sanguinarine. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said potentiating agent of a plant defense molecule is chelerythrine. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises an agent for stimulating the synthesis of a plant defense molecule, an insecticide and/or a herbicide. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said plant defense molecule is camalexin; and 
 said potentiating agent of a plant defense molecule is chelerythrine. 
 
     
     
       8. A composition comprising a plant defense molecule selected from the group consisting of brassinin, camalexin, resveratrol, 3,5-dihydroxybiphenyl, aucuparin and 6-methoxymellein and a potentiating agent of a plant defense molecule, wherein said potentiating agent is selected from the group consisting of chelerythrine, sanguinarine and Cl − , HSO 4   − , I  − , HCO 3   −  salts thereof;
 and 
 wherein said composition comprises a non-fungicidal amount or potentiating amount of the potentiating agent that ranges from 1 to 25 μM. 
 
     
     
       9. The composition according to  claim 8 , which is a phytosanitary or phytopharmaceutical composition and further comprising a phytopharmaceutical vehicle. 
     
     
       10. The composition according to  claim 8 , which is a coating, dressing, or pelleting composition. 
     
     
       11. The composition according to  claim 8 , wherein
 said plant defense molecule is camalexin; and 
 said potentiating agent of a plant defense molecule is chelerythrine. 
 
     
     
       12. A seed coated, dressed or pelleted with the composition according to  claim 8 .